Portable washing apparatus for light fixture panels and the like



July 23, 1963 L. c. CREECH 3,093,250

PGRTABLB WASHING APPARATUS FOR LIGHT FIXTURE PANELS AND THE LIKE FiledMay 15, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 i 54 3 INVENTOR. Larr C. Creech July 23,1963 1.. c. CREECH 3,098,250

PORTABLE WASHING APPARATUS FOR LIGHT FIXTURE PANELS AND THE LIKE FiledMay 15, 1961 (Ijglggt:

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Larry C. Creech Jul 23, 1963 c. CREECH 3,,250

PORTABLE WASHING APPARATUS FOR LIGHT FIXTURE PANELS AND THE LIKE FiledMay 15, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. Larry C. Creech L. C. CREECHJuly 23, 1963 PORTABLE WASHING APPARATUS FOR LIGHT FIXTURE PANELS ANDTHE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 15, 1961 I INVENTOR. Larry C. Creech3,098,250 Patented July 23, 1963 3,098,250 PORTABLE WASHING APPARATUSFOR LIGHT FIXTURE PANELS AND THE LIKE Larry C. Creech, 1523 43rd Ave.,San Francisco 22, Calif. Filed May 15, 1961, Ser. No. 110,084 2 Claims.(Cl. -77) The present invention relates to a simply constructed yethighly efficient self contained appaartus for washing panels featuring aplurality of washing spray units, adjustable scouring brushes and aplurality of rinsing spray units. In the past, light panels such asthose commonly employed in commercial translucent fixtures were washedin open tanks or removed from the ceiling and hosed. However, manualwashing of panels in open tanks or by hose is clumsy, laborious andinefficient. Moreover, because of the unavoidable splashing during thewashing operation and dripping of the washed panels, it has beenvirtually impossible to maintain the immediate washing area in asatisfactory dry condition. Additionally, and most important, whenwashing double walled, hollow diffusing panels in the conventionalmanner, leaks or cracks frequently develop which admit water into thecentral cavity of the panel. Because of the danger of infiltrating waterinto double walled, hollow diffusing panels, such panels are customarilycarefully washed with running hoses. However, this procedure drasticallylimits the selection of the washing site and is prohibitively slow.

It is, consequently, the principal object of the present invention toprovide an apparatus which permits the washing of all types of panels ina single apparatus in a simple, neat, yet efficient manner.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus forthe thorough but rapid washing of double walled, hollow panels withoutthe infiltration of water into the central cavity of the panelstructure.

Yet another object of the present invention is to pro vide .a compactwashing apparatus which can be easily moved to any desired location.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a washingapparatus for panels wherein a housing substantially encases the washingcompartments thereby minimizing the splashing resulting from the washingyet permits manual manipulation of the panels through the Washing andrinsing compartments.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machinefor panels having a substantially rigid yet easily dismantled housingprovided with washing and rinsing tanks and adjustable brushes.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a durable,sturdy apparatus for washing panels which is simple to operate and useand consistently effective in performance.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will beapparent from the following description read in conjunction with theappended drawings and claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the separate wash and rinse tanksthrough which the panels are moved, the brushes disposed between thesetanks and the pipe and pump system by means of which water is suppliedto the tanks and removed therefrom;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the washing apparatus showing the panel guideextensions in their open position, the rinse injector, switch,electrical connection, motor and pump assembly, tank separator and spraypipes, and caster elements by means of which the entire housing unit maybe conveniently moved;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the washing apparatus taken along the line 3-3of FIG. 2 and shows in detail the disposition of the brush and rodadjustment elements, the spray pipes, the pump discharge system and tankdrain, and the power assembly;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along the lines 4-4 of FIG. 3 andshows in detail the separation of the wash tank and rinse tank, thedisposition of the spray pipes and guide rails, the drainage systemwhereby the excess water in each tank is withdrawn and the constructionof the rod adjustment members employed to guide the panels as they passthrough the tanks;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along the lines 5- 5 of FIG. 4and shows details of the brush structure and spray pipes between whichthe panels move;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along the lines 66 of FIG. 4 andshows in detail the track over which the panels to be washed are guided.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the brush and rodadjustment disposed to operatively engage a panel passing along the pathshown by the arrows in phantom lines;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing details of the paneltrack and the manner in which the terminal portion of the track isengaged with the removable hood.

Referring now to FIG. 1 in greater detail the panels are moved along thepath shown by the phantom line arrow into the interior of the washingapparatus. These panels may be moved manually along a panel guide andmay conveniently be placed upon a panel guide extension of the typeshown in FIG. 2. In operation after the first panel is placed on thepanel track or guide other panels are moved behind it thus forcing thefirst panel further into the interior of the apparatus. The panel to bewashed now passes between spray pipes 11 in a washing tank 10. Closelyspaced nozzles 12 spray both sides of the pipe with water containing oneor more wetting agents and detergents. The number of spray nozzles 12may vary considerably. It is also within the scope of the presentinvention to spray one side of the panel before the other, i.e. spraythe sides of the panel passing through wash tank 10 sequentially ratherthan simultaneously. As a practical matter, however, it is preferred tosimultaneously spray both sides of the panel passing through wash tank10 between spray pipes 11 by means of the spray nozzles 12.

As shown in FIG. "1, pumps such as 13 may be employed to recirculate thewater and detergent through pipes 11 into the spray nozzles 12 thuspermitting reuse of the water and detergent on subsequently washedpanels. The pump effecting the recirculation of the water and detergcntinto wash tank 10 may be turned on and oil by means of valve 14. When itis desired to empty the wash tank 10 of the water containing wettingsolution and detergent a valve 15 in drainage pipe 16 is employed. Pipe16 leads to a convenient outlet for sewage. After the panel has passedthrough the plurality of spray nozzles 12 it is moved between verticallydisposed brushes 17 which dislodge dirt and grime. Brushes 17 areadjusted to prevent scratching or marring of the surface of the treatedpanel. The vertically disposed brushes 17 are preferably constructed ofnylon which exhibits the requisite stiffness yet is sufiicientlyresilient to prevent deleterious scratching of the treated surface. Asshown most clearly in FIG. 1 the brushes employed to dislodge dirt andthe like are disposed medially, the separation wall between the chambersbeing indicated at 18. One pair of vertically disposed brushes issufficient for the purposes of the present invention. However, it shouldbe understood that just as the number of spray pipes and spray nozzlesmay vary considerably within the scope of the present invention, so inlike manner may the number of pairs of opposing brushes 17.

After the panel has passed between brushes 17 it is moved into tankwhich is provided for the rinsing of the washed panel. In the embodimentof the present invention shown in FIG. 1 rinse tank 20 is provided withone pair of opposed rinse pipes 21, each of which is provided with arinse spray nozzle 22. The number of rinse pipes 2 1 and rinse spraynozzles 22 may vary considerably. It has been found preferably, however,to employ two pairs of opposed spray pipes 11 provided with a pluralityof spray nozzles 12 and a single pair of rinse pipes 21 provided with aplurality of spray nozzles 22. The rinse spray nozzles 22 subject thepanels to a continuous rinsing action. If desired a chemical appropriatefor the purposes of the present invention may be injected or bled intothe spray system in rinse tank 20. In FIG. 1 the rinse injector 23 isconnected to rinse pipe member 21 by means of connecting member 24.

The Water from rinse tank 20 is supplied from a convenient source whichmay be turned on by a house valve such as that shown at 25 in phantomlines. The water supply pipe 26 is preferably provided with aconventional valve 19 so that the volume of water passing into the rinsepipes 21 and thence through the rinse spray nozzles 22 may be accuratelycontrolled. The water conveyed into the rinse tank 20 through watersupply pipe 26 may be removed from the tank by means of drainage pipe 27which, as shown in FIG. 1, can run directly into a convenient seweroutlet. If desired, however, the drainage pipe 27 may be provided with avalve 28 attached to the pump 13 and the pipe 27 connected, as shown byphantom lines at 29, to the water supply pipe 26. Employing this systemit is possible to make an endless circuit of water circulating throughthe rinse tank 20. This system of recirculating the water in the tankmay be particularly valuable when the acquisition of water isinconvenient or when only a few panels are being washed and the original volume of water passing through the rinse pipe 21 and rinse spraynozzles 22 would remain sufiiciently clean for efiicient washing of theremaining panels.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the washing apparatus with details of thepanel guide extensions, pumps, valves and rinse injector. Side wall 30is an integral element of the detachable hood which can be removed fromthe base portion of the washing apparatus. Guide rails 33 shown inphantom lines are fixedly secured to the end walls of the detachablehood by appropriate attaching means such as wing nuts 32 and slottedlink member 65. The guide rails 33 serve to hold the panels to be washedin proper position as they pass through the washing apparatus. Becauseof the adjustability of the wing nuts 32, the guide rails 33 may bemoved laterally to accommodate panels of different dimensions which arepushed manually through the confines of the wash tank 36 and rinse tank37.

A plurality of spray pipe members 34 are disposed vertically in the washtank 36. These spray pipe members are preferably disposed in opposedpairs, as shown most clearly in FIG. 5. The number of opposed pairs ofspray pipe members 34 may vary considerably. It has been foundsatisfactory for the purposes of the present invention, however, toemploy two pairs of opposed spray pipe members 34 as shown in FIG. 2.

Rinse tank 37 is provided with a similarly constructed pair of opposedrinse pipe members designated in FIG. 2. The number of rinse pipemembers 35 may also vary considerably within the scope of the presentinvention. However, it has been found preferable to employ a single pairof opposed rinse pipe members. A pair of brush members 38 are disposedmedially in the apparatus so that each panel passes between the brushesand is swept clear of loose dirt and the like. The brushes 37 areadjustable to prevent the panels from being scratched or marred by thebrush bristles. The adjustment of the brushes is shown most clearly inFIG. 7. In essence, a handled bolt is employed to move the brush in andout of the channel through which the panels are pushed. The handle tothe brush screw adjustment is shown at 39 in FIG. 2. It will beunderstood that other types of adjusting means may be employed to movethe brushes into the path of the panels being washed. However, theillustrated key head bolt type clement employed to move the brushes intooperative connection with the panels being washed resolves the problemin a simple yet highly efficient manner and obviates the danger ofmurring or scratching the surfaces of the panels being washed. Theresolution of this problem is particularly critical in the washing ofcertain plastic panels employed in luminous light fixtures, since thesepanels are easily scratched. Moreover, panels used in luminous lightfixtures are prone to show scratching and marring on their surface whenin use.

The panel guide extension members 42 constitute a particularlyadvantageous feature of the present invention. Panel guide extensionmembers 42 are disposed so that the panels to be washed may be guidedalong the desired path into the confines of the detachable hood. Theseextension members 42 are held in position by brace members 43 which areoperatively accommodated by adjustable collar members 44. Because ofthis arrangement of elements, the extension members 42 may be adjustedangularly to conveniently accommodate panels passed through the confinesof the hood. The detachable hood or cover is disposed upon a bottom walland as shown most clearly in FIGS. 3 and 8 is provided with a flange 47which makes possible the removal of the detachable hood yet permits itsfirm operative attachment to the lower portion of the washing apparatuswithout the employment of bolts or the like.

Container 48 may be employed to bleed a chemical into the rinse pipemembers 35 by means of connecting member 49. The chemical container orrinse injector 48 may vary considerably in size and any conventionalmethod of injecting or bleeding the chemical contained therein isclearly within the scope of the present invention. The valve 59 may beemployed to control the quantity and duration or rinse water passingthrough rinse pipe members 35. The wash tank is provided, as shown inFIG. 2, with a drain valve 53 and hose connection 54 to the drain valveso that wash water may be easily removed. One particularly advantageousfeature of the present invention is the fact that the drain valve andhose connection are disposed at a point where they may be easilyconnected by hoses to a sewer outlet. Because of this design it ispossible to employ the apparatus in virtually any appropriate room ofthe building, yet by attachment of hose easily drain the spent water.Moreover, and most important, both the wash water and rinse water may berecirculated in the system which is thus rendered completely portableand self contained.

FIG. 2 also shows the switch 55 and electrical connection 56 disposedlaterally to the motor 57. The type of power source employed may, ofcourse, vary considerably. It is preferred, however, to employ aone-half horsepower electric motor for purposes of pumping. The powersource 57 is operatively engaged with the pump 58.

The entire unit is mobile because of the employment of casters 59.Because of the relatively small size of the unit, the employment ofcasters and the fact that the panel guide extension members may bedetached or collapsed from the substantially horizontal position shownin FIG. 2, the entire washing unit may be easily moved throughelevators, otiice doors and the like. Hence, it is possible to use thepresent unit in any convenient spot within the building. Moreover,because of the compactness of the unit and design of the wash tanks andrinse tanks, it is possible to completely service a large number ofpanels in a neat and highly efficient manner Without excessive escape ofwater from the apparatus. These advantages coupled with recirculation ofthe wash and rinse waters render the present washing apparatus clearlysuperior to any heretofore employed in the washing of panels.

In operation, a panel to be washed is placed on panel guide extension42, which is supported by brace member 43 and adjusted into a slightlytilted position so that the panel may be easily disposed thereon. Thepanel is pushed or otherwise propelled into the interior of wash tank36. A second and third panel may subsequently be placed behind it andpushed in the same manner into the interior of the container. In washtank 36 the panels are sprayed through spray pipe member 34. The panelsare subsequently pushed between brushes 38 which are adjusted to thewidth of the panels by means of the handie screw adjustment 39 andthence into the rinse tank 35. In rinse tank 35 the panels are rinsed bymeans of rinse pipe members 35 which may employ a chemical such as anon-ionic surface active agent which is bled into the system throughconnecting member 49 of rinse injector 48. The panels are subsequentlyremoved from the apparatus and are ready for replacement in the fixtureor stacking. FIG. 3 shows details of the elements secured to thesidewalls 3i) and 31 of the detachable hood of the washing apparatus.The pair of opposed rinse pipe members 35, shown in phantom lines, areprovided with a piuraiity of spray nozzles 61. The rinse water passingthrough these opposed pipes 35 and thence through the spray nozzles 61thoroughly rinses the panels passing through the washing apparatus. Thehandles to the screw adjustments for the brushes 38 are shown at 39 andare employed to adjust the brushes to the appropriate width for thepanels being washed. Similarly, adjustment of the guide rail members 33is effected through employment of the wing nut 32, accommodated by theslotted link element 65. A closure member generally designated 62 andpreferably constructed of a resilient material such as rubber preventswater from seeping out of the chamber 37 when the washed panels passthrough the vertical split 63. When panels of smaller dimension such asskylights are washed, it has been found highly advantageous to employ ahorizontal slit 64 in the closure member 62 so that the entire closureelement is not opened when the washed panel passes through the verticalslit 63. This horizontal slit in the closure element constitutes aparticularly advantageous feature of the present invention.

The entire upper unit is covered with a detachable hood which is fixedlyengaged to the lower tank housing of the washing apparatus by means offlanges 47, as shown most clearly in FIG. 8. The guide rail 66 isdownwardly curved, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, thus causing the water inthe wash tank 36 and rinse tank 37 to run into the lower tankreservoirs. The panel guide extension member 42 is secured to the lowertank wall as shown best in FIG. 8, by flange 70. The lateral flanges 82of track member 66 serve to fixediy secure the track member to the endwall 71. Because of this unique disposition of elements, it is possibleto detach the entire upper hood from the lower tank in a simple yethighly efiicicnt manner without employing screws, bolts, or the like.FIG. 3 also shows the disposition of the drain valve 53 and hoseconnection 54 to the drain valve as well as the switch 55, electricalconnection 56, and rinse injector 48, all of these components beingdisposed for ease of servicing and use. In the embodiment of theinvention shown in FIG. 3, the pump discharge 69 is adjusted to permitrecirculation of the wash water. Because both the wash water passingthrough wash tank 36 and the rinse water passing through rinse tank 37may be recirculated, the apparatus can be self-contained and completelyportable. It should be noted, however, that in the preferred embodimentof the present invention, the wash water is recirculated, whereas therinse water in rinse tank 37 is not recirculated.

FIG. 4 which is a cross sectional view of the washing apparatus takenalong the lines 4-4 of FIG. 3 shows in detail the four separate tankunits which together constitute the washing apparatus. Wash tank 36 isprovided with spray type members 34 having a plurality of spray nozzles60. As shown best in FIG. 8, the entire upper portion of the apparatus,including the hood over the wash tank 36 and rinse tank 37, may beremoved. Wash tank 36 and rinse tank 37 are separated by a wall 72. Itis essential in all embodiments of the present invention that the washtank and rinse tank are separated. The rinse tank 37 is provided with atleast one pair of opposed rinse pipe members 35 having a plurality ofspray nozzles 61 so that the panel to be washed is completely andefiiciently sprayed with water when it passes into tank 37. The guiderails 33 extend the length of the washing apparatus and are adjusted bymeans of wing nut 32 and slotted link member 64. By the adjustment ofthese guide rail members 33, it is possible to effectively wash panelsof varying widths.

As shown most clearly in FIG. 4, the opposed brush members 38 aredisposed on the wash tank side of the separating wall 72. It should benoted that a closure member or protective curtain constructed ofneoprene or rubber of the type shown at 62 in FIG. 3 may be disposed atthe opening between tanks 36 and 37. The disposition of brush members 38is necessary to direct the water from the brushes into the tank disposedbelow wash tank 36 rather than into the tank disposed below rinse tank37. The guide rail member 66, shown in detail in FIG. 6, is supported byangle element 73. As shown most clearly in FIG. 4, the panel guideextension members 42 are preferably slightly tilted to aid in themovement of the panels into the interior of the washing apparatus. Thepanel extension members 42 are provided with flanges 47 shown mostclearly in FIG. 8. The terminal portions of the guide rail 66 are curveddownwardly to cause water to run into the tank disposed below. Trackmember 66 is provided with a plurality of apertures 83, thus permittingthe water to run into the lower tanks 78 and and preventing water inwash tank 36 from running into rinse tank 37.

A particularly unique feature of the present invention is the offsetbafile shown at 76, which makes possible the retention and recycling ofthe wash water and is so disposed that water from the brushes 38collects in residue wash water tank 78 with wash water 77. shown in FIG.4, wash water tank 78 is disposed below wash tank 36. Wash water passingthrough the feed pipe 45 into the spray pipe member 34 and thencethrough the nozzles 60 passes through the apertures 83 in the trackmember 66 into the reservoir tank 78 where, accumulating at 77, it iswithdrawn by means of the drain valve 53 and hose connection 54. Aseparate residue rinse water tank 80 serves to collect the water passingthrough the portion of track member 66 disposed within rinse tank 37.The water passing through rinse pipe member 35 in the rinse tank 37 iscollected at 81. For purposes of the present invention, it has beenfound highly desirable to recirculate the wash water accumulating at 77in wash tank 78. Generally speaking, however, the rinse water shown at81 in residue rinse water tank 80 is not reused. As shown in MG. 4 themotor 57 and pump 58 can be connected by any commonly used drive. Ifdesired, the pump discharge 69 may be employed to recycle the rinsewater or, alternatively, as shown in schematic FIG. 1, the pump may beemployed to simply discharge the rinse water into a sewer. Generallyspeaking, 3" casters 59 have been employed in the preferred embodimentof the present invention, though casters of other dimensions and typesmay be used. In operation, water pumped through feed pipes 45 passesthrough the spray pipe members 34 into the wash tank 36, where itcontacts the subject panels. The water then passes through apertures inthe track member 66 and over the curbed terminal portion of track member66 into residue wash water tank 78 where it accumulates at 77. By meansof the drain valve 53 and hose connection 54, this water may be removedfrom the system or, alternatively, recycled and re used on subsequentlywashed panels. After being washed in chamber 36, the panels are movedinto rinse tank 37 where rinse water is forced by pump 58 powered bymotor 57 through rinse pipe members 35. The rinse water passing intochamber 37 runs through the apertures in guide rail member 66 and overthe curved terminal portion thereof into residue rinse water tank 80where it collects at 81. By means of the motor-powered pump 58, thiswater may be removed through pump discharge 69, or alternativelyrecycled.

FIG. 5, which is a cross sectional view taken along the lines -5 of FIG.4, shows details of the brush structure and spray pipe members in washtank 36. The wash tank 36 is provided with a plurality of spray pipemembers 34, each of which possesses spray nozzles such as those shown at60. The panel being washed is forced between opposing spray pipe members34 and opposing brushes 38. The brushes 38 are adjusted to the desiredwidth by means of screw adjustment member 39 so that each panel passingbetween the opposing brushes is thoroughly brushed clean of dirt anddebris, but is not scratched or deleteriously marred. The panels passingbetween the opposing brushes 38 and spray pipe members 34 are maintainedin position by guide rail members 33, the panels passing along the faceof track member 66. The hood or cover is easily detached from the lowerportion of the washing apparatus with which it is securely engaged byflanges 47. FIG. 5 also shows most clearly the highly advantageousdisposition of the rinse injector 48, switch 55, electrical connection56, and drain valve 53.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional View taken along the lines 6--6 of FIG. 4,and shows in detail the structure of track member 66, which is acritical element of the present invention. The track member 66 isprovided with a plurality of apertures 83 through which the water inwash tank 36 and rinse tank 37 passes. Additionally, the track member 66is characterized by a downwardly curved terminal portion designated 84in FIG. 6 which serves to direct water falling upon the track member 66into the residue wash water tank 78 or residue rinse water tank 80. Thesupporting angle bars of track member 66 designated at 73 in FIG. 6 andFIG. 8 are particularly adapted to fixedly secure the track member 66 toend wall 71 of the detachable hood. A larger brush aperture 85 isprovided in the track member 66 below the brushes 38 so that excesswater, dirt and grime loosened by the brushes 38 are directed intoresidue wash water tank 78. As shown most clearly in FIG. 6, the brushaperture 85 and opposed brushes 38, which are adjusted by means of screwadjustments 39, are disposed on the wash tank side of the apparatus anddrain into residue wash water tank 78. This residue wash water tank isseparated from the residue rinse water tank 80 by offset baflle 76 whichis provided with an angled terminal portion designated 88 in FIG. 6 andshown most clearly in FIG. 4. Because of the unique construction of thetrack member 66 and offset bafile 76, tanks 36 and 37 are completelyseparated as are the lower reservoir tanks 78 and 80.

The manner in which the hood which comprises side walls 30 and 31 andend walls 71 is detached from the bottom portion of the washableapparatus is shown most clearly in FIGS. 6 and 8. The attaching flangeelement 86 of the detachable hood abuts wall 87 of the lower tank. Thesupport flange 46 of wall 87 abuts the detachable hood flange 47.Because of this simple yet highly efficient disposition of elements, thehood may be removed from the housing of tanks 78 and 80 with ease. Thedetachability of the covering hood of the wash apparatus from thehousing of residue water tank 78 and 80 constitutes one most uniquefeature of the present invention making possible easy maintenance andrepair of the internal portions of wash tanks 36 and 37.

FIG. 7 shows in detail the manner in which the brush 38 and the guiderails 33 are adjusted to provide for panels of varying width. The screwshank 89 with attached handle 39 is screwed through collar member 90 andfixedly secured by nuts 92 or other appropriate means to the brushhandle 91. By simply rotating the handle 39, the brush is moved in andout of the path of the panels shown by arrows in FIG. 7. In this simplebut unique manner, it is possible to adjust the brushes to virtually anypanel width easily and quickly. The brush shown in FIG. 7 may also bepivoted horizontally thus diminishing wear and tear on the brushes. Inaddition to removing dirt spots the brushes also serve as a barrierbetween the wash tank 36 and rinse tank 37. It should be noted that aclosure element or protective curtain such as 62 in FIG. 3 preferablyconstructed of rubber or neoprene may also be disposed at the openingbetween tanks 36 and 37 to prevent water seepage. The guide rails 33 aresimilarly adjusted through the employment of. a wing nut 32 which isattached at 93 to a slotted link member 65. Because of the simple yethighly ethcient adjusting means for the brush 38 and guide rails 33, thepresent invention may be employed to wash panels of greatly varyingwidth. This feature of the present invention constitutes one mostsignificant advantage in the employment of the claimed washingapparatus.

As shown in FIG. 8, the hood of the Wash tank 36 and rinse tank 37 maybe easily yet efiiciently removed from the lower housing. Lower tankwall 87 is provided with an upwardly extending support flange 46. Thedetachable hood comprising the end wall 71 and side walls 38 and 31 areprovided with an upwardly extending flange 47 and a downwardly extendingattaching flange element 86. Flange 47 abuts flange 46 of lower tankwall 87, and flange 86 of the detachable hood abuts wall 87. In thissimple but unique manner, the hood covering wash tanks 36 and 37 may befixedly secured to the lower tanks 78 and 80. The track member 66 ispro- 0 vided with a supporting angle member 73 having laterallyextending flanges 82 which are fixedly secured to the end wall 71 of thedetachable hood. Flange 70 of panel guide extension 42 is provided tosecure the extension member to the terminal portions of the washingapparatus. Panel guide extension 42 is also provided with border flanges74.

in operation the novel washing apparatus of the present inventionaccepts dirty lighting panels and delivers them thoroughly washed andready for reinstallation after a short, eflicient, continuous operationwhich obviates the slow, ineflicicnt and laborious methods of washingpanels heretofore employed. The water preferably has a temperature notin excess of 135 F. and contains detergent or wetting agents whichprevent the formation of drops. 50 For example a wetting agent which canbe employed in the rinse may contain approximately 80 percent by weightnon-ionic surfactant and 20 percent alcohol. In spite of its efliciency,the apparatus may be constructed in highly convenient compact form. Thusan overall height of approximately five feet, width of 16 inches andlength when the panel guide extensions are lowered of approximately fourfeet, serves etlectively in the cleaning of the great majority ofceiling and door panels. Because of its compactness the apparatus caneasily be moved through nor- 6 mal doorways and elevator entrances.Moreover because of the unique, simple and efficient construction of theapparatus, relatively long hose connections and power cables may beeffectively attached thus permitting washing operations at virtually anyappropriate location. The apparatus may be employed to wash virtuallyany panel construction of metal, plastic, glass or the like.

In operation the panels to be washed are first moved into the wash tankin which they are contacted with water containing a wetting agent anddetergent. The application of water containing wetting agent anddetergent is preferably conducted simultaneously through a series ofclosely spaced spray nozzles. The treated panels are then urged betweenvertically disposed brushes which serve to dislodge dirt. grime and thelike. These brushes are 75 preferably constructed of nylon because ofthe durability and effectiveness of nylon brushes in removing dirt andgrime without marring or otherwie disfiguring the surfaces of thesubject panel which are frequently constructed of plastic. The treatedpanels are now passed into a second tank provided with spray nozzleswhich are designed to subject the panels to a continuous and effectiverinsing action. If desired, the panels may now be treated with adestaticizer and/or non-ionic surface active agent. The panels are nowremoved from the apparatus. in this condition the washed panels areimmediately ready for stacking, or if desired replacement in thesupporting grid of the lighting system.

The guide elements and other components contacting the panels during thewashing operation are constructed of material such as stainless steelwhich precludes staining. The width of the guide slots can be easilyregulated to accommodate thin sheets, corrugating rolls or even doublewall hollow panels. It should be noted that as the panel guides areadjusted in width to accommodate lighting fixtures of varyingdimensions, the protective curtains or closure elements which arepreferably made of rubber or neoprene located at both ends of the unitand also disposed at the units midsection behind the vertical brushesare similarly adjusted to provide for the thin sheets, corrugated wallsor double wall hollow panels which are being washed. These adjustmentsprevent internal spray from wetting surrounding areas so that thepremises may be maintained relatively neat and dry during the entireoperation. Moreover these adjustments prevent the internal spray fromsplashing outside the enclosure and prevent detergent from spraying pastthe brushes into the rinsing compartment.

During the cleaning cycle, both the detergent and the rinse water aresprayed or otherwise projected onto the treated panels under pressure.It will be understood the pressure under which the detergent and rinsewater are contacted with the treated panels may vary quite considerablywithin the scope of the present invention. However, broadly considered,pumps rated at approximately 80 gallons per minute have been foundsatisfactory for the purposes of the present invention.

The spray drips from the sides of the panels which are being cleanedinto a sump. From the sump the water may be directed to the pump intakefor recirculation and reuse. Because of the recirculation systemencompassed by the present invention significant savings are affordedthrough the employment of the present apparatus. As the supply ofdetergent is diminished through the normal process of use and reuse ofpartial carryover into the rinse compartment, the supply of deter-gentis replenished from a convenient reservoir. The quantity of detergentpresent may be conveniently checked by any conventional means. Forexample the level of detergent may be checked by gauge, while admissionof the detergent is regulated by a manual or automatic valve. Thesemodifications of the present invention will be apparent to those versedin the art. The rate of application of detergent, wetting agent anddestaticizer is preferably adjusted in accordance with the temperatureof the water and may vary somewhat with the condition and size of thetreated panel. A broad spectrum of deter-gents, wetting agents anddestaticizers may be employed for the described apparatus. It has,however, been found that detergents, wetting agents and destaticizersformulated for specific use with plastics are most desirable. Theseformulations will be apparent to those well versed in the art.

As distinguished from the detergent wash water, the rinse water isgenerally not recirculated though it may be if desired. It has beenfound preferable to employ supply and exhaust hoses which are connectedto the pump and sump respectively so that the water is supplied andremoved in a continuous operation. Because of the constant replenishmentof fresh rinse water, the apparatus is 10 particularly effective incleaning of panels in a simple, rapid, neat yet highly efficient mannerheretofore considered impossible.

I claim:

1. Portable apparatus for washing panels comprising in combination;

a housing member including a pair of opposing,

ing, spaced apart side wall members;

a guide means disposed between said side wall members on which panelsare placed when they are passed between said wall members;

a pair of brushes disposed in opposing facing relationship between saidwall members and extending in a generally vertical direction from saidguide means, said brushes disposed approximately midway between thevertical edges of said wall members;

first fluid spray means disposed between said wall members and on oneside of said brushes, said spray means disposed above said guide meansso as to direct fluid onto panels passed between said walls on saidguide means;

second fluid spray means disposed between said wali members and on theother side of said brushes; said second fluid spray means disposed abovesaid guide means so as to direct fluid onto panels passed between saidwall members on said guide means;

a first compartment disposed below said first fiuid spray means, saidcompartment providing means for reclaiming fiuid passed through saidfirst fluid spray means;

a second compartment disposed below said second fluid spray means, saidcompartment providing means for reclaiming fluid passed through saidsecond spray means;

means for recycling fluid in said first and second compartments throughsaid first and second fluid spray means respectively;

a pair of guide rails disposed between said wall membel's at a distanceabove said guide means, each of said guide rails spaced from a verticalplane passing through said guide means wherein each of said rails is onan opposite side of said plane, said rails adjustable in a horizontaldirection to accommodate panels of varying sizes;

means adjustably securing said brushes in position, the distance betweensaid brushes being variable by said adjustable securing means such thatthe distance between said brushes and the amount of said distance whichextend between said guide rails can be seiected to meet the requirementsof various panel shapes and sizes; and

low friction support means on which said washing apparatus is mounted.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising;

a pair of end wall members between the vertical edges of said side wallmembers, said end walls being made of a resilient material and having acentral vertical slit through which panels can be inserted, said endwalls thereby preventing fluid from escaping from between said side wallmembers.

upstand- References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATESPATENTS 2,199,747 Long et al. May 7, 1940 2,282,628 Whann et a1 May 12,1942 2,293,858 Schafer Aug. 25, 1942 2,824,320 Teel Feb. 25, 19582,852,790 Bowman Sept. 23, 1958 2,962,741 Petrillo Dec. 6, 19602,993,492 Mains July 25, 1961 3,018,200 Huddle Jan. 23, 1962

1. PORTABLE APPARATUS FOR WASHING PANELS COMPRISING IN COMBINATION; AHOUSING MEMBER INCLUDING A PAIR OF OPPOSING, UPSTANDING, SPACED APARTSIDE WALL MEMBERS; A GUIDE MEANS DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID SIDE WALL MEMBERSON WHICH PANELS ARE PLACED WHEN THEY ARE PASSED BETWEEN SAID WALLMEMBERS; A PAIR OF BRUSHES DISPOSED IN OPPOSING FACING RELATIONSHIPBETWEEN SAID WALL MEMBERS AND EXTENDING IN A GENERALLY VERTICALDIRECTION FROM SAID GUIDE MEANS, SAID BRUSHES DISPOSED APPROXIMATELYMIDWAY BETWEEN THE VERTICAL EDGES OF SAID WALL MEMBERS; FIRST FLUIDSPRAY MEANS DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID WALL MEMBERS AND ON ONE SIDE OF SAIDBRUSHES, SAID SPRAY MEANS DISPOSED ABOVE SAID GUIDE MEANS SO AS TODIRECT FLUID ONTO PANELS PASSED BETWEEN SAID WALLS ON SAID GUIDE MEANS;SECOND FLUID SPRAY MEANS DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID WALL MEMBERS AND ON THEOTHER SIDE OF SAID BRUSHES; SAID SECOND FLUID SPRAY MEANS DISPOSED ABOVESAID GUIDE MEANS SO AS TO DIRECT FLUID ONTO PANELS PASSED BETWEEN SAIDWALL MEMBERS ON SAID GUIDE MEANS; A FIRST COMPARTMENT DISPOSED BELOWSAID FIRST FLUID SPRAY MEANS, SAID COMPARTMENT PROVIDING MEANS FORRECLAIMING FLUID PASSED THROUGH SAID FIRST FLUID SPRAY MEANS; A SECONDCOMPARTMENT DISPOSED BELOW SAID SECOND FLUID SPRAY MEANS, SAIDCOMPARTMENT PROVIDING MEANS FOR RECLAIMING FLUID PASSED THROUGH SAIDFIRST FLUID SPRAY MEANS; MEANS FOR RECYCLING FLUID IN SAID FIRST ANDSECOND COMPARTMENTS THROUGH SAID FIRST AND SECOND FLUID SPRAY MEANSRESPECTIVELY; A PAIR OF GUIDE RAILS DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID WALL MEMBERSAT A DISTANCE ABOVE SAID GUIDE MEANS, EACH OF SAID GUIDE RAILS SPACEDFROM A VERTICAL PLANE PASSING THROUGH SAID GUIDE MEANS WHEREIN EACH OFSAID RAILS IN ON AN OPPOSITE SIDE OF SAID PLANE, SAID RAILS ADJUSTABLEIN A HORIZONTAL DIRECTION TO ACCOMMODATE PANELS OF VARYING SIZES; MEANSADJUSTABLY SECURING SAID BRUSHES IN POSITION THE DISTANCE BETWEEN SAIDBRUSHES BEING VARIABLE BY SAID ADJUSTABLY SECURING MEANS SUCH THAT THEDISTANCE BETWEEN SAID BRUSHES AND THE AMOUNT OF SAID DISTANCE WHICHEXTEND BETWEEN SAID GUIDE RAILS CAN BE SELECTED TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTSOF VARIOUS PANEL SHAPES AND SIZES; AND LOW FRICTION SUPPORT MEANS ONWHICH SAID WASHING APPARATUS IS MOUNTED.